Inspecting the dangers of feeling like a fake: An empirical investigation of the impostor phenomenon in the world of work

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Abstract

To investigate the link between the impostor phenomenon (IP), career self-management (CSM) factors, and work-relevant outcomes, we looked at the IPs impact on career optimism, career adaptability, and knowledge of the job market, as well as on employee- and organizationally relevant outcomes. We analyzed data from 238 working professionals (57% female) using parallel multiple mediation analyses. The results revealed that the IP was negatively related to all work-relevant outcomes through decreased CSM factors, which were subsequently associated with the outcomes. As hypothesized, employee-relevant subjective outcomes were mediated by optimism and employee-relevant objective (i.e., economic) outcomes by adaptability and knowledge. Additional mediating effects occurred. Regarding organizationally relevant outcomes, adaptability and optimism mediated the IPs impact on organizational citizenship behavior. The IP was only indirectly related to continuance commitment through adaptability and to affective commitment through optimism. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications and offer ideas for future research.
Translated title of the contributionInspecting the dangers of feeling like a fake: An empirical investigation of the impostor phenomenon in the world of work
Original languageEnglish
Article number1445
Number of pages12
JournalFrontiers in Psychology
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Sept 2016

Bibliographical note

Funding: Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Salzburg

Keywords

  • Career adaptability
  • Career optimism
  • Commitment
  • Impostor phenomenon
  • Job market knowledge
  • Organizational citizenship behavior
  • Salary

Fields of Science and Technology Classification 2012

  • 501 Psychology

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